Alaska Pride is a political blog dealing with issues of particular interest to Alaskans and those interested in Alaska. As Alaska's most politically incorrect blog, Alaska Pride addresses multiple issues ranging from politics, the environment, religion, and even race. I also seek to educate Outsiders about the real Alaska - why we cost more, and why it's a worthwhile investment for America.

-- David Stone Jr., Tina Stone, Michael Meeks, Thomas Piatek, and Christopher Sickles: All five acquitted on all charges in the trial. Face no additional charges. Now free and clear.

-- David Stone Sr. and Joshua Stone: Acquitted on all conspiracy charges in the trial, but still faced charges of possession of a machine gun and possession of an unregistered firearm. On March 29th, both pleaded guilty to one count each of illegally possessing a machine gun; when sentenced in August, Stone Sr. will face 33 to 48 months in prison, while Joshua Stone will face 27-33 months. Both currently released on bail.

-- Joshua John Clough and Jacob Ward: Neither one participated in the just-concluded trial. Clough pleaded guilty in December 2011 and will spend at least five years in federal prison on a charge of using a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence. Ward was ruled incompetent to stand trial in July 2011 and ordered to undergo treatment.

-- Rickey Randall, 58, of St. Clair Shores: "They overstepped a little bit. It wasn't there. It was just a lot of talk, talk, talk and no action. We were all on the same page. They saw what I saw. I felt it was an overreach. I was shocked by what the government presented."

-- Trevor Lyon, 31, of Berkley: Prosecutors had a "firm grasp on the weapons charges, but lacked foundation on conspiracy charges. It was the outcome that was going to happen either way. That's my gut feeling as to how the jury would have gone about it."

-- Melissa Roberts, 35, of Clinton: Agreed that the weapons charges were the only counts that could have stood up, but not much else; "I was waiting for that big piece of evidence that was going to convince me. I don't know if I believe they should have been arrested."

David Stone Sr. also held forth after the acquittal was announced, saying that he was glad to be finally released from Wayne County Jail after two years, characterizing it as one of the worst jails in the country. He said the case is a warning to the public showing that this could happen to anyone, and added that "It's amazing how someone can take a comment out of context and make it into what they want it to be." He predicted that distrust of the federal government would escalate.

Because of the similarities between the Hutaree case and the Schaeffer Cox case, the Hutaree case can be used as a guide to how the Cox case might proceed when trial begins on May 25th. While it's unlikely the Alaska Federal judge assigned to the case might also dismiss the case, it's quite possible that a jury might also decide to convict on the weapons charge but acquit on the conspiracy charges. It's also possible that the jury might come up with different verdicts for each defendant; the level of involvement by Coleman Barney is clearly not as extensive or deep as that of Schaeffer Cox, who went so far as to give seminars on the sovereign citizen concept in the Lower 48. The sentences set for the two Hutaree gun defendants give us an idea on how long Cox and his cohorts might be sentenced should they also be convicted on weapons charges. Read the superseding indictment in the Cox case HERE.

Articles Of Interest

About Me

It's time for Americans to take America back! America has been in the hands of special interests too long. Sometimes it's necessary to set aside the labels; while I prefer the conservative solution, sometimes you gotta go to the left. Sometimes capitalism requires an occasional daub of socialism to smooth its sharper edges.